You land at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, take a taxi to the City of Lights, stop to buy a “welcome” glass of J.P. Chenet Pays D’Oc Cabernet – Syrah with a hard cheese sampler at the Le Baron Rouge Cafe. When you arrive at the hotel to check-in, your credit or debit card is declined cause you did not pack you financial travel baggage properly.

Hey Stupid: You forgot to get your ducks properly lined-up. If you are traveling overseas, then it is imperative to take the following ten tips to heart.

Tip #1: Notify Bank or Credit Union on Travel Plans

Traveling, especially international, will likely raise red flags due to the high rate of fraudulent transactions outside the U.S. After a few transactions getting from the airport to the hotel, you may find your card(s) frozen, including ATM cards, until the financial institution knows you are making the transactions. Unfortunately, the bank or credit union will call your home phone or mobile phone. So make sure your phone will work at your destination or make sure you promptly contact the bank to avoid declined transactions.

Government Help

Tip #2: File Travel Itinerary with State Department

You can do this online and the U.S. State Department can provide invaluable assistance while you’re abroad, especially if a problem emerges. Additionally, the State Department offers up-to-date information and advisories regarding areas you are planning to visit. Some U.S. citizens with special considerations – such as students, women, and LGBTI travelers – may face additional challenges when abroad. If you do decide to travel, make a plan for what to do if something goes wrong overseas.

Tip #3: Download Financial Institution’s Mobile App

Their mobile app enables you to bank online or contact the financial institution should you need to. Check with your institution before traveling to make sure your destination country is not blocked on their firewall; many foreign countries have online risks associated with them. If your destination is blocked, your bank or credit union can help you plan accordingly. Of course, make sure your mobile phone works in your destination.

Public Wi-Fi a No No

Tip #4 Do Not Use Public Wi-Fi

This advice applies not only abroad but in the U.S. too. Hackers and phishers love to monitor public Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops, hotel lobbies, libraries, etc. If you must use public Wi-Fi, do not log into any of your financial institutions’ mobile banking websites, or use your debit or credit cards for online purchases. The exception is if you are using a secure one-time passcode, such as you get when you check into some hotels, which includes your name. You can also use your cellular connection on your phone, the most secure when traveling.

Posting your travel plans to share with friends on Facebook or tweeting your excitement as you board the cruise line is alerting the bad guys you are away. Even if someone is babysitting your house or you have a high-tech security system, wait until you return to share information about your trip. The worst is telling the world when you will return.

Trip cost is one of the main factors that can drive up the price of a policy. Travelers have the choice of insuring all, some, or none of their trip cost, but travel insurance can only reimburse prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses up to the amount insured. Squaremouth suggests insuring only the trip cost you lose if you cancel. If you are liable to pay a 50% penalty to cancel a hotel reservation, insure that amount rather than the full cost of the hotel to get a less expensive policy.

Tip #9 Overlooking the Least Expensive Travel Policies

When comparing travel insurance, more expensive does not mean better. Each provider tailors their policies toward a specific demographic. If one policy is less expensive than another policy with the same coverage amounts, it’s because the traveler falls in that provider’s sweet spot, not because the coverage is worse. Pick the least expensive policy that meets the coverage you need.

Robert McKinley, with 34 years experience covering payment cards, is Senior Analyst and Editor-in-Chief for CardTrak. He is the founder of RAM Research, CardWeb and CardTrak. McKinley has participated in more than 10,000 documented news media interviews with multiple appearances on every national news program. He is a published author and champion for consumers against bad business practices by issuers of credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards at the highest levels. He has been named as one of nation’s top payment card experts. Full Bio: www.rbm4.com

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